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What to Replace Hoagie City on Market Street? Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Across the street from Trader Joe’s, a vacant retail location is available for rent on the not-so-commercially- thriving-yet-still-enticing 2100 block of Market Street.

Vacant space

Hoagie City has gone the way of see-ya at 2136-38 Market. It goes without saying that they were no Sarcone’s, but what will come next in this 4200 sqft space currently listed for $6,500/month? More sandwiches? Crepes? Another adult video store?

Porn shops still exist?

Perhaps it was the location- bordered by a Salvation Army Thrift Store on its west-end and Le’s Gal’s and Book Bin II, two adult stores on its east-end- that led to its demise. The question: what entrepreneur has the cojones to try to make something happen here?

Is there something unattractive about the block? (Oh yeah, the porn). A trip to Trader Joe's on any weekday evening is enough to show there could be an opportunity for commercial success here. Note, the multi-million dollar Murano, next door to TJ. The under-construction AAA Building. And the likelihood for redevelopment at 1919 Market, where there was a Pennsylvania Horticultural Society pop-up garden last season.

If someone could embrace these connections and brainstorm based on these factors, a chance for a new business to thrive might just be on the horizon for the former Hoagie City. Here's hopin'.